"Step up to the challenge, be involved, be informed, speak truth to power, and embrace your potential for greatness."
This was the bold remark of Senator Risa Hontiveros to all MSUans during her message, as she was invited to an open dialogue centered on the theme "Marching on Together for a Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Society" held at MSU-GenSan Gymnasium, March 1.
Speaking in front of hundreds of MSUans, Sen. Hontiveros instilled in their minds the idea of not being afraid to dream while standing firm on it.
"Strive for success in your respective disciplines and use that success to benefit not only yourselves but also your fellow women and other marginalized people," she said.
This is why the lawmaker pointed out that, in reality, there is still a long way to go before having an equal society for every individual due to women only taking up little spaces in different sectors of the community.
"According to studies, women only make up two out of ten elected officials in the Philippines. That disparity is reflected in many sectors, such as business," she explained.
Hence, she believed that in a nation that holds women back, society will not be able to move forward.
"Para maabot ang tunay at sama-samang pag-unlad bilang isang bansa, kailangan nating tugunan ang mga suliranin ng mga kababaihan na malalim ng nakaugat lalo na yung ukol sa kalusugan natin, sa edukasyon, sa kabuhayan, at sa ating mga karapatan bilang mga mamamayan," the senator imparted.
In addition, to address those societal issues, she highlighted that a nation needs more women in every sector because society demands that they have courage and possess different skills.
"It is a fact that more women leaders allow institutions to bring in fresh views and ideas to policy-making and provide bigger, louder, and more empathic voices with marginalized communities," Sen. Hontiveros shared.
Moreover, she wanted to create laws that would empower women and solo parents just like her, which led to these bills being passed, namely the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Magnanay Act, Bawal Bastos Law, and Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
In the end, Sen. Hontiveros hoped that she could see more women being the best that they could be in their lives.
The said event was organized by the Center for Women’s Studies (CWS) and the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), with the collaboration of Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) and the Senate Committee on Women.
Comments